Tim Tebow, who has previously played for the Broncos and the Jets, was released by the Patriots on Saturday. / Stew Milne, USA TODAY Sports

by Jim Corbett, USA TODAY Sports

by Jim Corbett, USA TODAY Sports

It might be time for Tim Tebow to move on to the Canadian Football League, because the NFL appears to have moved on from the former Heisman Trophy winner and first-round pick.

After Tebow passed through waivers and became a free agent one day after his release by the New England Patriots, quarterback guru Steve Clarkson, who worked with Tebow in February, urged his pupil to consider playing north of the border to help keep his dream alive.

Tebow said on his Twitter account Saturday, "I will remain in relentless pursuit of continuing my lifelong dream of being an NFL quarterback.''

The best way to do that is for ultra-popular Tebow to continue working in a competitive team environment and stay ready in case of an NFL injury call.

"It's time now to maybe just reconsider a different path to his ultimate dream. Tim might want to look to the CFL because he may have run out of options in the NFL,'' Clarkson told USA TODAY Sports on Sunday. "Sitting is not an option for Tim. He's ultra-competitive. He needs to stick to his strength, which is being in a competitive environment.

"Anyone who wants to work on their craft the way Tim does, he just needs to give himself a couple of days and really decide, 'Is this what I want to do?' Clearly, football is still in his blood.''

And if that's the case, there's one option: The Montreal Alouettes own Tebow's rights should he opt to pursue that route.

Clarkson said he's willing to work with Tebow again to help refine his still-uneven throwing mechanics.

Tebow was 11-for-30 passing for 145 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions in three preseason games for the Patriots before coach Bill Belichick released him during Saturday's final cutdowns.

But what Tebow really needs is more live game seasoning.

"I haven't spoken to Tim in a while,'' Clarkson says. "My general thoughts now are, 'We're starting the NFL season. Right now, it's not realistic that he'd be a guy an NFL team is going to pick up.' "